Skip to main content
Normal View

Tuesday, 13 Jul 2021

Written Answers Nos. 61-81

Substance Misuse

Questions (61)

Richard Bruton

Question:

61. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health his latest assessment of trends in the use of illegal drugs in Dublin city and county; and the success of strategies in place. [28089/21]

View answer

Written answers

Government policy in relation to drug and alcohol addiction services is set out in the National Drugs Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery-a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025. A key objective of the strategy is to support high quality monitoring, evaluation, and research to ensure evidence-informed policies and practice.

The National Drug and Alcohol Survey is funded by the Department of Health and managed by the Health Research Board. It is a general population survey of households to measure the extent and pattern of drug use among a representative sample of those aged 15 and over in Ireland.

The Health Research Board published the findings of the National Drug and Alcohol Survey for 2019/20 on July 1st. A further report presenting the breakdown of survey data by regional areas will be ready for publication in October of this year. The regional data will be especially relevant in the context of the establishment of health regions under the Slaintecare reform programme.

The data from the National Drug and Alcohol Survey will highlight issues that require attention as part of the mid-term review of the National Drugs Strategy. In particular, it will inform the allocation of the additional €1m funding for targeted drug and alcohol initiatives in conjunction with the drug and alcohol task forces.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (62)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Question:

62. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the cost to date of all Covid-19-related payments in his Department to individuals and corporate entities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15409/21]

View answer

Written answers

From March 2020 to 30 June 2021, the gross amount of Covid-19 related payments by my Department to external suppliers was €26.7 million. In 2020, my Department recouped €10 million of these costs from the Dormant Accounts Fund. This offset the full amount paid by my Department for its contribution to the Covid Stability Fund. The Covid Stability Fund was operated by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Affairs to fund Covid-19 payments.

Of the remaining €16.7 million the main areas of expenditure related to communication campaigns, media and market research and the management of the electronic Passenger Locator Form. The Department of Health also hosted regular press conferences throughout 2020 and into 2021 for which equipment was rented and sign language interpreters attended.

Beginning in April 2020, my Department was responsible for disseminating urgent public health information including the printing and distributing of leaflets, posters and signs.

Costs in 2021 also include payments relating to mandatory hotel quarantine.

Care of the Elderly

Questions (63)

Joe Carey

Question:

63. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health the plans and development of the new community hospital to be located in the grounds of St. Flannan’s College, Ennis, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28314/21]

View answer

Written answers

In early 2016, a Capital Programme for Older Persons Residential Centres was developed and agreed with the Department of Health in response to the introduction of HIQA’s, National Residential Care Standards for Older People.

To progress the Community Nursing Unit project in Ennis, the HSE have secured lands comprising of 5.09 acres at Turnpike junction, on grounds adjacent to St Flannan’s College, for the new 100-bed Community Nursing Unit. The contract for the purchase of the lands, which is subject to obtaining planning permission, will see a new 100-bed HIQA compliant Community Nursing Unit for long stay and short stay residents developed on this green field site within walking distance of all community services and the town centre. The unit will include 88-single and 4-twin rooms, and 4-palliative care facilities.

The project has been included for funding in the HSE Capital Programme 2021 and a design team have been procured. The design team have commenced on the outline design phase of the project.  It is planned to submit a planning application for this development by year end.

It is important to recognise that the delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, which can impact on the timeline for delivery. 

Cybersecurity Policy

Questions (64)

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

64. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to mitigate the impact of the cyber-attack on UL Hospital Group services; the impact of the attack on the UL Hospital Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28658/21]

View answer

Written answers

The HSE has been working since the 14th of May to recover the effects of the cyber-attack on its systems. The attack had the impact of removing access to most patient and care systems as well as central business systems. It has advised that many of these systems have been recovered and services have recommenced.

In relation to the UL Hospitals Group specifically, I am advised that the Group has implemented a number of workaround solutions to address the catastrophic impacts, including building and setting up a database for issuing medical record numbers and developing processes for both manual paper records and Excel databases. In collaboration with the Office of the HSE Chief Information Officer, software was deployed to negate the impact and older servers were updated within the Group.

Front line clinical systems including diagnostics, radiology, oncology, specialised servers to support clinical devices and the patient administration system were prioritised for restoration.   Approximately 2,000 computers and laptops, along with 100 servers were checked and updated with new software.  Upon restoration of the clinical systems, the UL Hospitals group began backloading the manual data.   There are currently five teams deployed to this process, which is still ongoing.

Emergency and time-critical services continued to operate. However, approximately 10,000 outpatient appointments and scheduled procedures were cancelled in UL Hospitals Group as a result of the cyber-attack. Scheduled care continues to be restored across hospital sites on a phased basis.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (65)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

65. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently in intensive care units with Covid-19 who have the delta variant of the virus. [37675/21]

View answer

Written answers

This information isn't collected centrally. However, it is worth noting that the Delta variant is now the dominant variant in Ireland. It is currently estimated to represent over 82% of all cases (using S-Gene Target Failure as a proxy for Delta detection) and will grow further in the coming weeks.

While there will always be a lag time between a rise in cases and any subsequent rise in admissions to hospital and intensive care, it can be expected that the majority of admissions in the coming weeks will be cases of the Delta variant.

Disabilities Assessments

Questions (66)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

66. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the action being taken to reduce waiting times for assessments of need under the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37504/21]

View answer

Written answers

In August 2020 the HSE secured €7.8m to address the issue of overdue Assessments of Need (AON). 

This funding was provided on a once off and strictly time bound basis to eliminate all AONs overdue at 30th June 2020. While the number of overdue Assessment of Need stood at approximately 6,500 in June 2020, through a combination of different measures, by the end of April 2021 approximately 5,150 children have had their assessment completed, thus reducing the backlog to approximately 1,350 cases. An overall reduction, since the exercise began of approximately 80%. This is the latest information available in light of the recent cyber attack on the HSE's I.T. systems.

I am pleased to say that 3 CHOs have cleared their backlog of assessments, one of which has exceeded its target. 

In a further effort to standardise procedures and to facilitate timely assessments, the HSE developed a Standard Operating Procedure for assessments. This was implemented for all applications for assessments from January 2020. As part of the HSE’s continuous quality improvement programme, it has committed to a comprehensive review of the operation of the Standard Operating Procedure. 

In addition, 100 new posts have been allocated under the HSE National Service Plan 2021. Funding for these posts will facilitate each CHO area to determine the discipline and grade required to address the gaps in their Children’s Disability Network Teams. The 2021 allocation of posts is being assigned to the CHO areas in two tranches of 50 posts and will further strengthen the capacity of Network Teams.

 I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Mental Health Commission

Questions (67)

Mark Ward

Question:

67. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his views on the report by the Mental Health Commission (details supplied) that states the highest number of applications to involuntarily detain persons that came from An Garda Síochána; the training that is in place; the interaction his Department has had with the Department of Justice on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36579/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Annual Report of the Mental Health Commission set out that in 2020 there were 2,432 admission orders issued, of which 1,919 were involuntary admission orders and 513 related to admission orders that required a change from voluntary to involuntary status.  It should be noted that the figures relate to the number of admission orders issued rather than the number of people admitted on an involuntary basis.

Of the 1,919 involuntary admission orders issued, 32% were by members of An Garda Síochána, 29% were by a spouse, civil partner or relative, 13% were by Authorised Officers of the HSE, and 26% were by other persons.  The Deputy should note that 'other persons' may include doctors in an emergency department.

Under Section 9 of the Mental Health Act 2001, members of An Garda Síochána, along with authorised officers, family members or other relevant persons (such as neighbours or friends) may make an application for involuntary detention. Section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2001 provides for a member of An Garda Síochána to take a person into Garda custody if the Garda believes the person is suffering from a mental disorder.

The Commission highlighted that there had been an increase in the use of Section 12. While the cause of this increase is not known, the Department is generally in favour of the limited use of Section 12 to detain people because being taken into Garda custody can have a traumatising effect on people. The HSE has requested clarity from the Commission on the number of applications made by Gardaí, particularly a breakdown between the use of Section 9 and Section 12.

As the Deputy will understand, the proportion of applications for involuntary detention reflects the unfortunate reality that Gardaí often encounter persons with severe mental health issues and will be called upon by members of the public or indeed family members where a person is experiencing high levels of distress.  Very often, members of An Garda Síochána are the first available frontline service to whom people will turn in such situations.

The Department of Health is currently finalising a draft general scheme to significantly amend the Mental Health Act 2001, including proposed changes to the admission process and an updated criteria for detention.  Work on updating the Mental Health Act has been in development for the last number of years. The draft general scheme is generally in line with the recommendations of a 2015 Expert Group review of the Act. This Expert Group made 165 recommendations on a range of different issues/sections of the legislation, including a change to Section 12, with a greater role for Authorised Officers. The Expert Group recommended that, in future, Authorised Officers should be the only group allowed to make an application for involuntary detention under Section 9 of the Act, and in cases where a person is taken into Garda custody under Section 12, an Authorised Officer would have to be contacted immediately to assess whether or not an application for involuntary detention should be made. These have been taken into account during the finalisation of the draft heads.

In addition to these recommendations, the Department has carried out extensive consultation over the past few years, including a recent public consultation which received 100 submissions, and extensive engagement with key stakeholders such as the HSE and the Mental Health Commission. 

The General Scheme was approved by Cabinet today and will be published this month. The bill will then be drafted by the Office of the Attorney General with a view to introducing the legislation to the Oireachtas as soon as possible.  

As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Justice established a High Level Cross-Departmental and Cross Agency Task Force, which brings together senior officials from the Department of Justice, the Probation Service, the Irish Prison Service, An Garda Síochána, the Department of Health and the HSE, the Central Mental Hospital, the Department of Housing and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.  This Task Force is a commitment in the Programme for Government and is considering the mental health and addiction challenges of those imprisoned, and primary care supports on release.  It is chaired by Ms Kathleen Lynch, former Minister of State with responsibility for Primary Care, Mental Health and Disability. The group has established a number of sub-groups which are focusing in the first instance on effective diversion from the criminal justice system; along with capacity levels in the Central Mental Hospital and the Irish Prison Service; and also at community care and through-care from custody.   

Applications for involuntary detention are never made lightly and applications made by any member of An Garda Síochána take full account of An Garda Síochána‘s obligation to protect the human rights and welfare of individuals and communities. The only statutory option available to Gardaí responding to people in a mental health crisis and potentially posing a risk of harm to themselves or others is to invoke Section 12 of the Mental Health Act, 2001.  Section 12 requires Gardaí to take the person into custody in order to have them assessed by a registered medical practitioner.

The Department of Justice has confirmed that all trainee Gardaí are trained over two days in an internationally recognised Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshop which is delivered in collaboration with the HSE.  This workshop is a suicide first aid programme which equips trainee Gardaí with the necessary skills to discuss suicide with a person at risk and to make an intervention to reduce immediate risk of suicide if necessary. Trainee Gardaí also study the Mental Health Act 2001 and the procedures that are required if they have to invoke their powers.

As part of the Continuous Professional Development core programme for operational members, An Garda Síochána has provided training on awareness of mental health difficulties in keeping with the Mental Health Act 2001. The programme also covers types of mental health difficulties, Garda powers and procedures, and the transportation of people in mental health crisis.

As the Deputy may also be aware, the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland concluded that societal issues such as the mental health of individuals should not be the responsibility of An Garda Síochána alone and the Commission recommended the establishment of multi-agency teams that would include Gardaí to respond to the needs of individuals with mental health issues.  A pilot crisis intervention team is being developed in the Limerick Garda Division. This pilot is being progressed in close collaboration with the HSE and it is hoped to begin the rollout of the pilot team early next year.

Health Services

Questions (68)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

68. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the consideration that is being taken in relation to the extension of a service (details supplied) to be a seven-day service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36281/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Hospital Facilities

Questions (69)

Verona Murphy

Question:

69. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the specific timeline for the installation of a public MRI scanner facility at Wexford General Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37686/21]

View answer

Written answers

The HSE has advised that the installation of a permanent MRI at Wexford General Hospital is a priority capital investment for the Ireland East Health Group.  Engagement is taking place between the Hospital Group and the Health Service Executive (HSE) regarding the funding of this initiative through the 2022 Estimates process.

The HSE has advised that there is currently an MRI service available at Wexford General Hospital, which is being provided in a mobile unit on site.

The HSE has been advised that the Friends of Wexford General Hospital have raised €250,000 seed funding for the MRI and are continuing to hold these funds in good faith.

Mental Health Services

Questions (70)

Mark Ward

Question:

70. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a comprehensive report into the progress in obtaining surge capacity in private mental health facilities as agreed by the passing in Dáil Éireann of the Mental Health Surge Capacity motion. [28332/21]

View answer

Written answers

The HSE has engaged with 6 independent providers for the provision of additional capacity into the mental health sector. This additional capacity includes the purchase of acute beds as well as longer term care beds in order to free up capacity in the statutory sector.  A total of €13.65 million has been allocated to purchasing the additional capacity in 2021.   

Following a specific procurement process, 5 additional Mental Health Intellectual Disability beds and 10 additional Specialised Rehabilitation Unit beds will shortly be available to the HSE. The HSE is also negotiating additional capacity with a partner housing agency for the purchase of 8 step-down beds designed to meet the needs of individuals moving from a Specialised Rehabilitation Unit or other service.  

The HSE is working with an existing provider to deliver 3-5 additional beds for individuals with very high needs requiring long term care, a number of whom are subject to court orders. 

Current arrangements for beds in private hospitals continue, as does the purchase of beds for COVID-19 or other clinical reasons, as required.  

A specialist group reporting to the Sharing the Vision National Monitoring and Implementation Committee is also being established to review mental health services bed capacity.

The Deputy can rest assured that I will continue to keep this matter under close review, in conjunction with the HSE.

Mental Health Services

Questions (71)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

71. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health his plans in relation to financial, service-based schemes to provide for the growing needs of community mental health and to ensure that Covid-19 crisis and emergency mental health teams are better resourced going forward in view of the fact that mental health support services were inundated pre-pandemic and that there are studies providing evidence that public mental health has suffered further throughout the pandemic. [23887/21]

View answer

Written answers

While there is no doubt that Covid-19 has posed significant challenges, including isolation, bereavement, anxiety and loss of income and work for many, we do not yet fully understand the impact of Covid-19 on mental health and subsequent demand on services.  A negative mental health outcome from the pandemic is not inevitable, if we respond in a cohesive manner.

Since the pandemic started, mental health services have responded rapidly, continuing to deliver supports in the safest possible way throughout the country. The HSE and the Department continue to plan for any surge in demand for mental health services and supports as it arises. The HSE have service surge capacity plans in place, including access to acute beds in the private sector.

The HSE has a range of proactive responses for any rise in mental health service needs, including online and other telehealth psychosocial supports. In 2020, an additional €2.2 million was allocated to develop telehealth and psychosocial responses to Covid-19. Telehealth services are now fully established while the HSE Psychosocial Framework, published in January 2021, provides a cohesive, coordinated, consistent and collaborative whole-of-population approach to the provision of mental health services and supports.

I secured an additional €50 million for mental health services in 2021, bringing the annual budget to in excess of €1.1 billion. €23 million of this additional funding is dedicated to commencing implementation of many of the short-term recommendations of Sharing the Vision while €15M is allocated to address additional challenges posed by Covid-19.

More generally, further developments in mental health services continue in line with the national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision and commitments set out in the HSE National Service Plan 2021. The €23 million allocated to the implementation of Sharing the Vision is funding enhanced resources for community mental health teams, CAMHS hubs/teams, adult crisis resolution services, increased supports in employment, peer support workers, bereavement co-ordination, and dialectical behaviour therapy. Work is progressing in these areas, including the recruitment of the 153 new mental health staff this year.

Sharing the Vision recommends the continued phased implementation and evaluation of existing national clinical programmes in mental health, including Dual Diagnosis, Early Intervention in Psychosis, and Eating Disorders. The clinical programmes, which are in various stages of design and implementation, are at the heart of service improvement.

 Additionally, out of hours crisis supports will be enhanced in line with Sharing the Vision and commitments set out in the HSE National Service Plan 2021. Funding has been allocated in 2021 for crisis resolution teams, crisis or community cafes, and CAMHS telehealth hubs.

The HSE is committed to improving its infrastructure, including new or improved community-based facilities and services for people with more severe and enduring mental health difficulties. Of the additional funding provided in 2021, €7m will fund reconfiguration of mental health facilities, in line with Mental Health Commission and  Covid-19 related risk assessment recommendations. This, plus the recurring €6m in new development funding, means there is €13 million for minor works and refurbishments in 2021.

Additionally, in 2020, the Government Covid-19 Stability Fund provided €45 million to community organisations providing services, including social care. An additional €10 million was provided in 2021. The fund is managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development, and Pobal are administering partners. 

Earlier this year, the Taoiseach announced additional funding for mental health for proposed cross-governmental and inter-agency initiatives to meet evolving demands for mental health arising from Covid-19, including those relating to young people. This will cover, for example, promoting positive mental health, increasing awareness of the wide range of supports available, and improving signposting to these service and supports. The Department of Health is at present progressing the details of this new initiative, including consultation with other relevant stakeholders in the health and education sectors.

I would like to assure the Deputy that I, along with the Government as a whole, remain fully committed to enhancing the provision of mental health services nationally.  

Hospital Staff

Questions (72)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

72. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the status of the appointment of a full-time consultant to the medical assessment unit of Nenagh Hospital as a matter of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28444/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Nursing Education

Questions (73)

Steven Matthews

Question:

73. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the €100 per week special payment agreed for student nurses; if all arrears accrued since September 2020 have been paid; and the further steps he will take to recognise the contribution of both student nurses and all other front-line staff to the Covid-19 pandemic. [37734/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will recall that following my acceptance of the key recommendation in the Collins report, a student nurse/midwife Pandemic Placement Grant (PPG) of €100 per week for each week of supernumerary clinical placement was introduced with effect from the start of the current academic year, September 2020. The HSE has confirmed to my Department that the process for paying these grants is now well underway and is expected to be completed shortly.

Regarding recognising the contribution of student nurses and midwives all other front-line staff, I note that a conciliation process is underway at the Workplace Relations Commission between health service management and representative unions. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further, expect to say  I acknowledge frontline healthcare workers’ critical and significant response to this pandemic.

Assisted Human Reproduction

Questions (74)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

74. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the proposed provisions of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2019 to incorporate the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37682/21]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill, is ongoing by officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. Publication of this legislation is a priority for my Department and the Government, and a commitment to enact this legislation is included in the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”.

This comprehensive legislation encompasses the regulation of a wide range of practices, including gamete (sperm or egg) and embryo donation for AHR and research; domestic surrogacy; pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos; posthumous assisted reproduction; and embryo and stem cell research. The Bill also provides for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority for AHR.

The recently published report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection comprises issues relating to parentage and the right to identity in donor-assisted human reproduction and surrogacy in this jurisdiction and abroad. 

The area of AHR, including the use of donor gametes and surrogacy, gives rise to complex legal, ethical and social issues, and concerns many areas of law that intersect across the remits of several Government Departments. The findings and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur’s report are being considered in the ongoing refinement of the AHR legislation, as appropriate. My Department will also continue to liaise with colleagues in other Departments where the issues intersect.

Overall, the provisions outlined within the Bill will ensure that AHR practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight. The aim of the AHR legislation is to promote and ensure the health and safety of parents and others involved in the process while, most importantly, consideration of the welfare and best interests of children born as a result of AHR is the key principle underpinning all legislative measures in this area.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (75, 93)

Joe Flaherty

Question:

75. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if it is planned to allow mixing of Covid-19 vaccines in first and second doses as happens in other European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37729/21]

View answer

Steven Matthews

Question:

93. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the mixing of non-mRNA and mRNA vaccines for first and second doses being permitted in other EU jurisdictions; his views on whether such a practice would be appropriate under any circumstances in Ireland; the advice he has received from NIAC and NPHET in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37735/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 93 together.

Ireland's COVID-19 vaccination programme strategy is to distribute all available vaccine as quickly as is operationally possible, prioritising those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19.The programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to the Department of Health. The NIAC review all data relating to COVID-19 vaccines on a rolling basis.Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the NIAC develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and include guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.The current Guidelines state:There are currently four COVID-19 Vaccines authorised for use in Ireland. The vaccines are not interchangeable. For vaccines that have a two-dose schedule, the same vaccine should be used for both doses. The NIAC will continue to review the evidence concerning the safety and efficacy of a heterologous vaccination strategy (using a different vaccine for the first and subsequent doses of a multi-dose schedule) as it becomes available.You can read the guidelines at: www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (76)

James O'Connor

Question:

76. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a primary healthcare centre at a location (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37711/21]

View answer

Written answers

I would like to thank the Deputy for raising the issue of the provision of a Primary Care Centre in Youghal.  The development of primary care is central to the Government's objective of delivering, a high quality, integrated and cost-effective health care system.

Primary Care Centres have a key role to play in delivering the vision for a reformed health service laid out in Sláintecare, by facilitating the shift from acute care to primary care, and supporting the provision of range of multi-disciplinary services in local communities. 

At present, the HSE is concluding a feasibility assessment for St Raphael’s campus so as to ensure it can be re-generated to accommodate a number of community-based services including: Older Person Residential, Older Person Day Services and Primary Care.  Once concluded, the HSE will use the findings of this assessment to form the basis for a capital submission for the delivery of a Primary Care Centre in St Raphael’s.

Due to the limited size of the campus, the existing buildings on-site, and the varying community service needs, it is vital that the assessment is concluded so the capital projects can be advanced in a co-ordinated way, and to ensure the campus as a whole, yields the maximum return for the population in East Cork.

It is important to recognise that the delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, which can impact on the timeline for delivery. 

Assisted Human Reproduction

Questions (77)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

77. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health the actions he has taken to ensure that children born through either domestic or international surrogacy have their rights ensured from the perspective of the best interests of the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36215/21]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill, is ongoing by officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. This comprehensive piece of legislation will encompass the regulation, for the first time in Ireland, of a very wide range of practices, including domestic altruistic surrogacy. 

The surrogacy provisions outline the specific conditions under which surrogacy in Ireland will be permitted, including a requirement for all surrogacy agreements to be pre-authorised by the AHR Regulatory Authority, the establishment of which the Bill will provide for. The legislation also sets out a court-based mechanism through which the parentage of a child born through surrogacy may be transferred from the surrogate (and her husband, if applicable) to the intending parent(s).

In addition, under the surrogacy provisions at least one of the intending parents will have to be genetically related to the child. Surrogacy will be permitted on an altruistic basis where the payment of defined and receiptable reasonable expenses will be allowed. However, commercial surrogacy in Ireland will be prohibited as it raises a number of concerns relating to the welfare and commodification of the children involved as well as the potential risks of coercion and exploitation of financially vulnerable women to act as surrogates.

Another important requirement for domestic surrogacy will be that the details of the surrogate, the intending parent(s) and any relevant donor will be recorded on the National Surrogacy Register, which will be established by the AHR Regulatory Authority. This will ensure that all children born through surrogacy will be able to access accurate and comprehensive information on their genetic and gestational origins. 

The draft Bill does not contain provisions to regulate surrogacy arrangements undertaken in other jurisdictions. As issues relating to international surrogacy concern areas of law that intersect across the remits of several Government Departments, my Department is engaging with the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in respect of this policy area.

Overall, the aim of the AHR legislation is to promote and ensure the health and safety of parents and others involved in the process (such as donors and surrogate mothers), while, most importantly, consideration of the welfare and best interests of children born as a result of AHR – including the protection of their identity rights – is the key principle underpinning all legislative measures in this area.

Disability Services

Questions (78)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

78. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the provision of respite care places for persons with an intellectual disability in the CHO2 health area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25444/21]

View answer

Written answers

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (79, 134, 151)

John Lahart

Question:

79. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health the reason so few of pharmacists in the Dublin 6W and Dublin 24 areas are administering a vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37547/21]

View answer

Niamh Smyth

Question:

134. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason persons in County Cavan have to travel 40 to 50 kilometres to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in Navan, County Meath instead of attending the vaccine centre in County Cavan that is located 8 to 10 kilometres from their home. [37475/21]

View answer

Kieran O'Donnell

Question:

151. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the status of roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme in counties Limerick and Tipperary; the number vaccinated to date for the first and second dose, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28659/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 134 and 151 together.

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.

Dental Services

Questions (80, 81, 88, 94, 122, 144)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

80. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that medical card patients are struggling to find dentists in north County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28324/21]

View answer

Brian Stanley

Question:

81. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to resolve the problems with the medical card for the dental treatment services scheme in counties Laois and Offaly. [27791/21]

View answer

Danny Healy-Rae

Question:

88. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when there was last a review of the dental treatment services scheme (details supplied). [37822/21]

View answer

Pa Daly

Question:

94. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the way the objectives of the Smile agus Sláinte policy are currently being met by the dental treatment services scheme within County Kerry. [37678/21]

View answer

Martin Browne

Question:

122. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the crisis in the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28322/21]

View answer

David Cullinane

Question:

144. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the crisis in the dental treatment services scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28329/21]

View answer

Written answers

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge to medical card holders aged 16 and over. These services are provided by independent dental practitioners who have a contract with the HSE. Patients may choose to have their treatment undertaken by any dentist who participates in the Scheme.

I am aware that there has been a reduction in the numbers of dentists participating in the DTSS since the beginning of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Some people are experiencing problems in accessing a service close to their home. However, I have been assured by the HSE that their local services on the ground will assist any persons who are experiencing problems in accessing a service.

The national approach to future oral health service provision will be informed by Smile agus Sláinte, the National Oral Health Policy, which was published in 2019. The aim of the policy is to develop a model of care that will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs.

I am committed to ensuring the sustainability and viability of the DTSS, which will need to be revised to align it with modern evidence and the aims of the new Policy. There was an intention to commence a review of the DTSS contract last year. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, this was not possible. Officials in my Department are currently engaging with the Irish Dental Association to commence this process.

Top
Share